EMMA'S CLASSROOM SUPPLY ORGANIZER

Key Concepts

The Smart Servo is like a robot arm that can turn to exact positions. It understands numbers from 0 to 180, where 0 is all the way to the left, 90 is in the middle, and 180 is all the way to the right. The servo needs special instructions written in code to know:

1. When to move (after a button press)
2. Where to move (which position)
3. How long to wait between movements

The button works like a light switch - it can be ON (pressed) or OFF (not pressed). Our code can detect when the button changes and use that to tell the servo to move.

Activity: "Code Detectives"

1. Code Reading:
   • Display the toggle button code on a projector
   • As a class, walk through each part using simple language:
     • "This line connects to our button"
     • "This line sets up our servo"
     • "This line creates a variable called 'toggle' that starts at 0"
     • "These lines check if the button is pressed AND the toggle is 0"
     • "This line moves the servo to position 0"
     • "This line changes toggle to 1"
     • "These lines check if the button is pressed AND the toggle is 1"
     • "This line moves the servo to position 180"
     • "This line changes toggle back to 0"
2. Multiple Position Planning:
   • Demonstrate how to add a third position to the code
   • Have students draw a diagram showing how a 3-position organizer would work
   • Discuss how the toggle variable helps the program remember which position it's in

import time
import board
from digitalio import DigitalInOut, Direction, Pull
import pwmio
import servo

# Button setup
button = DigitalInOut(board.D2)
button.direction = Direction.INPUT
button.pull = Pull.UP

# Servo setup
pwm = pwmio.PWMOut(board.A2, duty_cycle=2 ** 15, frequency=50)
my_servo = servo.Servo(pwm)

# Variable to track position
position = 0

while True:
    if button.value == 0:  # Button pressed
        if position == 0:
            my_servo.angle = 0  # Position 1
            position = 1
        elif position == 1:
            my_servo.angle = 90  # Position 2
            position = 2
        elif position == 2:
            my_servo.angle = 180  # Position 3
            position = 0
        time.sleep(1)  # Wait to avoid multiple triggers

Activity: "Designer's Workshop"

1. Design Planning:
   • Have students sketch ideas for Emma's supply organizer in their design journals
   • Consider: How many sections are needed? How will supplies be arranged? How will the servo attach?
   • Create a list of supplies needed for their design
2. Prototype Building:
   • Provide cardboard, craft materials, containers, and structural components
   • Guide students in constructing a base platform that can be attached to the servo
   • Help students arrange containers or dividers to hold different supplies
   • Attach the servo using LocLine flexible connectors and 10mm framing pieces
3. Programming for Emma:
   • Help students modify the code to control their specific organizer design
   • Adjust the servo positions to match the layout of their organizer
   • Add comments to the code explaining what each position is for

import time
import board
from digitalio import DigitalInOut, Direction, Pull
import pwmio
import servo

# Button setup
button = DigitalInOut(board.D2)
button.direction = Direction.INPUT
button.pull = Pull.UP

# Servo setup
pwm = pwmio.PWMOut(board.A2, duty_cycle=2 ** 15, frequency=50)
my_servo = servo.Servo(pwm)

# Starting with position 0
position = 0

# LED setup for visual feedback
import neopixel
pixel = neopixel.NeoPixel(board.NEOPIXEL, 1)

while True:
    if button.value == 0:  # Button pressed
        if position == 0:
            my_servo.angle = 0  # Position for markers
            pixel.fill((255, 0, 0))  # Red light for markers
            position = 1
        elif position == 1:
            my_servo.angle = 60  # Position for crayons
            pixel.fill((0, 255, 0))  # Green light for crayons
            position = 2
        elif position == 2:
            my_servo.angle = 120  # Position for pencils
            pixel.fill((0, 0, 255))  # Blue light for pencils
            position = 3
        elif position == 3:
            my_servo.angle = 180  # Position for erasers
            pixel.fill((255, 0, 255))  # Purple light for erasers
            position = 0
        time.sleep(1)  # Wait to avoid multiple triggers

Extension: "Visual Feedback"

For students who finish early or need an additional challenge, introduce the Neopixel LED:

• Add code to change the LED color for each position
• Colors can serve as visual reminders of which section is active
• Discuss how different colors might help Emma identify which supplies are available

Assessment Activity: "Client Testing"

1. Peer Testing:
   • Have students work in pairs to test each other's organizers
   • One student wears mittens to simulate Emma's limited mobility
   • Test if the organizer is stable, if supplies stay in place, and if the button is easy to press
   • Record feedback in design journals
2. Design Refinement:
   • Based on feedback, make improvements to the organizer
   • This could include stabilizing the base, adjusting container positions, or modifying the code for better timing
3. Reflection and Presentation:
   • Students prepare a short (1-2 minute) presentation explaining:
     • How their design helps Emma
     • What they changed based on testing
     • What they would improve if they had more time
   • Include a demonstration of the working organizer

Assessment Rubric

Final Reflection Questions

Have students record responses to these questions in their design journals:

1. How does your organizer help Emma access her supplies more easily?
2. What was the most difficult part of designing for someone with different abilities than you?
3. If you could add one more feature to your organizer, what would it be and why?
4. How did testing your design help you make it better?